well what I've been told is that the writing slowly ruins the disk. I didn't know this when I first started trading and wrote on the disks, and got a stern 'NO'' for doing that! Now I just put the shows in CD/DVD sleves and label that way.

Really?????? I wonder how it does that???? (no sarcasm, literal question - can't figure that out)

Anyone out there know how a sharpie on the non-playing side can compromise the integrity of a disc??? would be nice to know since i do it to my own.

edit - never mind - just quickly researched - it is supposedly bunk - for the oil of the sharpie to damage the disc the exposure would need to be approximately 140 deg farenheit with about 85 percent humidity for long exposure and even then no proof. Some people thought it was the alcohol in the sharpie - from what i read that evaporates within 2 hours. Another big hoax that people buy into - looks like i'll continue to use them. Scratches will kill the cd long before a little sharpie. Typical hardcore trader paranoia. If i send any out to people who dont like sharpies - please warn me in advance - i use them out of habit.

yeah, that's what i just found out online - plus i called an somewhat high profile IT friend of mine and he started laughing out loud as soon as a started asking him (granted he had had a couple of beers) - but he made me feel better. Total bunk according to him - made it sound like an inside joke in the computer industry that got out into the "normal" non computer world. Guess my discs are safe for now.

You wouldn't beleive some of that "Typical hardcore trader paranoia" that you speak of... Some people (especially at Phishhook) have their list up, with numberd 'instructions' that you have to follow in order to trade with them.... certain disks, no writing on them, how you send it by postage, etc. They take a fun hobby and turn it into work!

couldn't be bothered with people like that - that is just pretentious bullshit (no offense to them if that is how they like their hobby). just not for me. i kinda like the free flow approach. if i got a disc that i didn't like the "writing" - i'd just reburn it and be damn happy and grateful i got it in the first place. but that's just me. me not picky - me just like music. everyone here has been great!!!